Originally Posted By: isu22yoteOriginally Posted By: iowayotehunter76Kirsch gives good advice. I would like to add that 200 to 300 yard shots are very tough, and sometimes impossible within the price range you have. First of all, it's very had to judge distance with thermal and therefore ID is difficult also. A coyote that is not moving at 300 yards is difficult to ID. But if you are calling you should be able to get most of them in closer than that though unless you are one of these guys who thinks they are going to sit in the back of the truck and call them that way. I have shot several with my xq38 between 100 and 200 though. I really try to get them into a 100 though. The trade off is the field of view of these scopes makes finding close targets alot easier, especially on fleeing coyotes.
How much has it changed your success in Iowa? Are you able to kill 4-5 yotes a night ? Is it worth running a pulsar apex x38 and getting a mini DVR recorder or just pony up and get the one with the inboard recorder ? Anyone run the new ATN Thor 4 units ? 2-8 and the 4-16 units look nice ..
No I'm not able to average 4-5 a night. If that is your expectation, you are going to be very disappointed. I went from calling something in 1 in 6-10 stands to calling something in 1 in 3-4. So, you better be pulling all nighters every night if you want to average 4 to 5 a night. You better also be having some success day time calling. I have been calling coyotes for 20+ years and I still have plenty of blank stands at night. You better have at least some basic knowledge of stand location, setup, and using the wind to your advantage. Sure it's easier to get lucky at night because iowa coyotes are almost 100% nocturnal, but I still see coyotes skirt way around us or ignore the call for various reasons, number one being that they just don't like where you are set up. Most nights I get 1 or 2. But still get skunked once in awhile. Some nights are just better than others. I also farm and the chores aren't going to do themselves the next morning. So, usually like to be home by 11 or 12.